Constance Wu said Saturday that she wrote “f—ing hell” after the renewal of her ABC show “Fresh Off the Boat” because the renewal will keep her from pursuing another project.
“It’s renewal meant I had to give up another project that I was really passionate about,” she wrote.
The “Crazy Rich Asians” star reacted to news that her comedy was renewed Friday by tweeting: “So upset right now that I’m literally crying. Ugh. F–.” And when a follower congratulated her with “Great news,” she responded, “No it’s not.”
Wu later walked back the tweets, saying her response “was not a rampage.”
Saturday, Wu prefaced her lengthy explanation of her reaction by saying, “These words are my truth. I hope you hear them.”
She emphasized her love for “Fresh Off the Boat,” calling it a “great show” of which she is proud. She said her character, Jessica, is “fun and easy and pleasant.”
“But,” she wrote, “in general, I’ve always sought artistic challenge over comfort and ease. I was disappointed in not being able to do that other project — Because that other project would have challenged me as an artist — that other project would have been really hard and not easy or pleasant at all.”
Wu went on to apologize for the “ill-timing” of her words, and said they were “insensitive to those who are struggling.”
“People can hold conflicting feelings in their hearts — that conflict is part of being human,” she concluded. “So I can both love the show/cast/crew but at the same time be disappointed that I lost that other unrelated job. I appreciate those who have given me the space and faith to believe what I say about both parts of my heart.”
Read Wu’s full comments below or by clicking here.
I Love FOTB. I was temporarily upset yesterday not bc I hate the show but bc its renewal meant I had to give up another project that I was really passionate about. So my dismayed social media replies were more about that other project and not about FOTB.
But I understand how that could feel interconnected and could get muddled. So here is me unmuddling it with my truth: FOTB is a great show that I’m proud of and that I enjoy. I’ve gotten to fully explore my character and I know her like the back of my hand. So playing Jessica is fun and easy and pleasant. I get to work with a kind and pleasant cast/crew. Which makes it all quite enjoyable–So obviously I don’t dislike doing a show that is fun and easy and pleasant. But in general, I’ve always sought artistic challenge over comfort and ease. I was disappointed in not being able to do that other project–Because that other project would have challenged me as an artist–that other project would have been really hard and not easy or pleasant at all. Sometimes even my closest friends are baffled at how I could value artistic challenge/difficulties over success/happiness. But I do. I know it’s weird.
But my words and ill-timing were insensitive to those who are struggling, especially insensitive considering the fact I used to be in that struggle too. I do regret that and it wasn’t nice and I am sorry for that. I know it’s a huge privilege that I even HAVE options–options that FOTB has afforded me. But if one does have privilege, they ought to use that privilege as best they can. For me–that means pushing myself artistically. Constantly challenging myself by doing what’s unfamiliar and scary. So I am trying my best to use it well.
People ‘assumed’ that that meant I don’t love and enjoy FOTB. But I do love and enjoy it. I hope you believe me.
People can hold conflicting feelings in their hearts–that conflict is part of being human. So I can both love the show/cast/crew but at the same time be disappointed that I lost that other unrelated job. I appreciate those who have given me the space and faith to believe what I say about both parts of my heart. Thank you. It’s meaningful when you make the choice to believe women.
Umberto Gonzalez contributed to this report.